Wreaths Across America honoring veterans Dec. 15

On Dec. 15, the Delaware Wing Civil Air Patrol will conduct the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Bear, honoring those who have served.

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By Staff Reports

Middletown Transcript

By Staff Reports

Posted Nov. 22, 2012 at 5:00 AM

By Staff Reports
Posted Nov. 22, 2012 at 5:00 AM

Bear, Del.

Trucks carrying wreaths to the Arlington National Cemetery will be stopping off in the M.O.T. area.

On Dec. 15, the Delaware Wing Civil Air Patrol will conduct the Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Delaware Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Bear, honoring those who have served.

The trucks will also make a stop at the Middletown High School, as done in previous years.

Across the country on Dec. 15, similar ceremonies will be conducted at more than 400 cemeteries nation wide, including at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

During the ceremony in Bear, which will begin at noon, seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember those who have served, their sacrifices, and to teach younger generations about the cost of freedom.

Last year, a 2003 Middletown graduate was honored during the ceremony at the high school Dec. 9.

Marine Lance Corporal Anthony P. Roberts, of Bear, was killed by hostile fire in Iraq in 2004, less than a year after graduating high school.

Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials at the cemeteries for each branch of the armed forces.

After the local ceremony, about 600 wreaths will be placed at the graves of fallen veterans all around the cemetery. Anyone who attends is welcome to place these wreaths.

Members of the armed forces, the Girl Scouts, the Delaware Patriot Guard Riders, and other military and veteran groups will be attending.

Wreaths Across America is a national, non-profit organization based in Maine that has been supplying wreaths for the graves of veterans at the Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries around the country for more than 20 years.

This year, more than 160,000 volunteers are expected to participate in the group's mission, which is, "Remember; Honor; and Teach."

Anyone interested in participating in the local ceremony can contact coordinator John Lierenz at (302) 838-7887 or at Middletown.cap025@yahoo.com .